Chuseok Guide: What To Eat

We are approaching Chuseok, one of the major holidays in Korea. Celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, it is sometimes referred to as the Korean word hangawhi.

It is said that the moon is never as round and bright as during Chuseok.

Just as any other occasion, a family gathering in Korea won't be complete without delicious dishes to be devoured. In this article, we are going to take a look at traditional dishes that you can find on a Chuseok table!

1. Songpyeon (송편)

Perhaps the most classic Chuseok treat is songpyeon, a half-moon shaped rice cake.

Some households make their own songpyeon, but the many-colored cakes are also sold on most markets if you are too lazy to make your own!

Songpyeon is made from flour that has been kneaded and formed into half-moon shapes, and they are filled with sesame seeds and various nuts. The cakes are then often steamed on top of pine needles.

Many will mix vegetable juice into the batter to make the songpyeon colorful and pretty!

So why is it a half-moon? Korea has for a long time been dependent on agriculture. As we can understand from the use of the lunar calendar, the moon used to play an important role in daily life.

A half-moon will eventually fill up to become a full moon, so is was considered a sign of future abundance. And since the filling is actually shaped as a full moon, you get the best of two worlds!

Another Korean saying goes that if you can make beautifully shaped songpyeons, you will find a good marriage partner. As a result, generations of daughters in Korea have been drilled to make the most perfectly shaped half-moon rice cakes.

2. Jeon (전)

Also called Korean pancakes, Jeon is a staple on the table for Korean holidays!

For Chuseok, typical jeon pancakes include minced pork jeon (donggeurang-ttaeng), jeons with either green chili pepper, beef, fish, pumpkin, or tofu as main ingredient - or skewers with sausage, vegetables and crabmeat (ggochi-jeon).

Although there are some regional differences in recipes, there are probably few households without any “Korean pancakes” on the table for Chuseok!

The basics of jeon is easy: you mix egg and flower, coat the main ingredients with the batter, and then slowly pan-fry until they are done. But it is very time-consuming, and after frying an endless amount of jeons, the whole house can end up smelling of cooking oil.

That’s why more and more households nowadays choose buy jeon at the local market or grocery store to save themselves some time and effort!

3. Japchae (잡채)

Japchae is another important part of a Korean holiday menu!

Boil glass noodles (dangmyeon) until they turn translucent, then fry the noodles along with spinach, carrots, mushrooms, meat, onions, add some seasoning, and mix well. Voilà, you got yourself a classic Korean dish!

Japchae is considered an important dish for most holidays, and of course it's a must-have for Chuseok too!

Since you have to prepare a number of ingredients, japchae is another dish that is time-consuming - but there is always the option of buying ready-made japchae at the market or your local store.

And although japchae may seem healthy with plenty of vegetables, the oil and seasoning give it a high calorie count, so you may want to eat this delicious treat in moderation!

4. Hangwa (한과)

Hangwa (traditional Korean confections) are another staple for the Chuseok table.

One favorite among the many different hangwa varieties is the fluffy Yugwa. Both soft and crunchy, they are slightly sweet without being overwhelming.

Hangwa comes in many beautiful colors and shapes. They are often sold at a reasonable price in traditional markets. Personally, I love the ones with sesame seeds!

Just remember that Hangwa too are usually cooked in oil and come with many calories!

5. Sikhye (식혜)

Sikhye is a traditional beverage, common on the table for both Chuseok and Seollal (Korean New Year). It’s made from rice and fermented malt, and is another personal favorite.

Many of you might have already tried this refreshing rice drink after a sweaty session in a Korean sauna (jjimjilbang)!

The rice grains add a sweetness and chewy texture to the drink, and also help with digestion. You can drink it after a meal or on its own during a break.

<Source: Naver Blog>

Sweet pumpkin sikhye is a recent trend, and another treat you should definitely check out!

This article took a look at traditional dishes and drinks you can find on a Korean Chuseok table. You can find all of the treats in markets and grocery stores. Or, you can try and make them yourself!

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